HUNDREDS OF thousands of Zimbabweans could face deportation from South Africa early next year following the government’s decision to end an amnesty on the need to have proper documentation to be in the country.
A special dispensation allowing Zimbabweans to stay in South Africa and avail of education, employment and healthcare was introduced in April 2009 when the country was in the grip of a political crisis involving president Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party and the Movement for Democratic Change.
But the South African government announced on Thursday the decision to normalise the situation was taken in order to legitimise the estimated two million Zimbabweans living in the country illegally, many with fake ID papers.
Government spokesman Themba Maseko said cabinet “had approved the proposal to end the special dispensation for Zimbabweans. But we believe some form of stability has returned to Zimbabwe and therefore all Zimbabweans will now be treated like any other foreign nationals.”
South Africa-based Zimbabweans will have to secure the necessary documentation from Zimbabwe – like an identity card or passport – and then apply for work or study permits before the end of this year or face deportation.
Mr Maseko added that an amnesty for Zimbabweans who obtained South African identification documents fraudulently would be available if the fake IDs were returned to home affairs and legal documents applied for.